Shenandoah National Park

Day 79: Chin Art & Advice from a Feral Santa

Day 79: Chin Art & Advice from a Feral Santa

I’ve seen a thousand miles of trail so far, but I wonder how many miles of cumulative beard I’ve seen? Mine gets a regular trim to keep Northstar from bolting...

Jul 6, 2023 : Jon
Day 78: Shenandoahs, Part IV

Day 78: Shenandoahs, Part IV

The stormy weather made for an exceptionally dramatic sunrise, which I caught as I passed the cliffs before Mary’s Rock. Dark clouds lay just above the deep red, orange, dark...

Jul 5, 2023 : Jon
Day 76: Humidity

Day 76: Humidity

East Coast humidity takes a toll on this Arizona boy. The forecast called for rain, which led me to leave Gus with Northstar, but I didn’t feel a single rain...

Jul 2, 2023 : Jon
Day 75: Lightbulb Moments in the Shenandoahs

Day 75: Lightbulb Moments in the Shenandoahs

After a thousand miles on the trail, I’ve finally walked into my comfort zone. I have a sweet gig and I love it.

Jul 1, 2023 : Jon
Day 74: The Shenandoahs

Day 74: The Shenandoahs

I think I felt my first hint of being tired of the long green tunnel this morning. But it could have been the humidity. Without the sun to dry me...

Jun 30, 2023 : Jon
Day 66: Last Day on the Trail?

Day 66: Last Day on the Trail?

Later, when I woke her to let her know Gus and I were heading out, she said she felt better than last night but still had some of her symptoms....

Jun 17, 2023 : Jon
Start Here: How Shenandoah National Park Is a Backpacker’s Nursery

Start Here: How Shenandoah National Park Is a Backpacker’s Nursery

Basically, it’s a classroom for Backpacking 101.

Oct 26, 2019 : Notebook
Consider the Timber

Consider the Timber

Shenandoah National Park, September 8–16, 2019 Dispatch 2: Megaflora It can be hard for anyone to see the forest for the trees, but in the backcountry, it can be hard...

Oct 7, 2019 : Notebook
Tourists and Citizens on the AT

Tourists and Citizens on the AT

Shenandoah National Park, September 8–16, 2019 Dispatch 1: Backpacking Is Not Thru-hiking The two-and-a-half months I spent on my LASH three years ago were the most emotionally volatile two and...

Oct 3, 2019 : Notebook
Just Taking a Vacation

Just Taking a Vacation

Going out for a section three years after an aborted thru-hike attempt

Jul 5, 2019 : Notebook